Controlled Trifluoromethylation Reactions of Alkynes through Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

The control of a reaction that can form multiple products is a highly attractive and challenging concept in synthetic chemistry. A set of valuable CF₃‐containing molecules, namely trifluoromethylated alkenyl iodides, alkenes, and alkynes, were selectively generated from alkynes and CF₃I by environmentally benign and efficient visible‐light photoredox catalysis. Subtle differences in the combination of catalyst, base, and solvent enabled the control of reactivity and selectivity for the reaction between an alkyne and CF₃I.     

Pd/Cu‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Sequential Heck/Sonogashira Coupling: Asymmetric Synthesis of Oxindoles Containing Trifluoromethylated Quaternary Stereogenic Centers

An asymmetric palladium and copper co‐catalyzed Heck/Sonogashira reaction between o‐iodoacrylanilides and terminal alkynes to synthesize chiral oxindoles was developed. In particular, a wide range of CF₃‐substituted o‐iodoacrylanilides reacted with terminal alkynes, affording the corresponding chiral oxindoles containing trifluoromethylated quaternary stereogenic centers in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (94–98 % ee). This asymmetric Heck/Sonogashira reaction provides a general approach to access oxindole derivatives containing quaternary stereogenic centers including CF₃‐substituted ones.     

1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions of Ethyl 2‐Diazo‐3,3,3‐trifluoropropanoate to Alkynes and [1,5] Sigmatropic Rearrangements of the Resulting 3H‐Pyrazoles: Synthesis of Mono‐, Bis‐ and Tris(trifluoromethyl)‐Substituted Pyrazoles

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of ethyl 2‐diazo‐3,3,3‐trifluoropropanoate with electron‐rich and electron‐deficient alkynes, as well as the van Alphen? Hüttel rearrangements of the resulting 3H‐pyrazoles were investigated. These reactions led to a series of CF₃‐substituted pyrazoles in good overall yields. Phenyl‐ and diphenylacetylene proved to be unreactive, but, at high temperature, the diazoalkane and phenylacetylene furnished a cyclopropene derivative. As expected, the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition to the ynamine occurred much faster than those to electron‐deficient alkynes. With one exception, all cycloadditions proceeded with excellent regioselectivities. The [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangement of the primary 3H‐pyrazoles provided products with shifted acyl groups; products resulting from the migration of a CF₃ group were not detected. In agreement with literature reports, this rearrangement occurs faster with 3H‐pyrazoles bearing electron‐withdrawing substituents.     

The Role of Ate Complexes in the Copper‐Mediated Trifluoromethylation of Alkynes

Trifluoromethylation reactions have recently received increased attention because of the beneficial effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the pharmacological properties of numerous substances. A common method to introduce the trifluoromethyl group employs the Ruppert–Prakash reagent, that is, Si(CH₃)₃CF₃, together with a copper(I) halide. We have applied this method to the trifluoromethylation of aromatic alkynes and used electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry to investigate the mechanism of these reactions in tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and acetonitrile as well as with and without added 1,10‐phenanthroline. In the absence of the alkyne component, the homoleptic ate complexes [Cu(CF₃)₂]^? and [Cu(CF₃)₄]^? were observed. In the presence of the alkynes RH, the heteroleptic complexes [Cu(CF₃)₃R]^? were detected as well. Upon gas‐phase fragmentation, these key intermediates released the cross‐coupling products R?CF₃ with perfect selectivity. Apparently, the [Cu(CF₃)₃R]^? complexes did not originate from homoleptic cuprate anions, but from unobservable neutral precursors. The present results moreover point to the involvement of oxygen as the oxidizing agent.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Difunctionalization of Activated Alkynes by Radical Oxidation–Tandem Cyclization/Dearomatization to Synthesize 3‐Trifluoromethyl Spiro[4.5]trienones

A copper‐catalyzed difunctionalizing trifluoromethylation of activated alkynes with the cheap reagent sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (NaSO₂CF₃ or Langlois’ reagent) has been developed incorporating a tandem cyclization/dearomatization process. This strategy affords a straightforward route to synthesis of 3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐spiro[4.5]trienones, and presents an example of difunctionalization of alkynes for simultaneous formation of two carbon–carbon single bonds and one carbon–oxygen double bond.     

Direct Catalytic Trifluoromethylthiolation of Boronic Acids and Alkynes Employing Electrophilic Shelf‐Stable N‐(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide

A new and safe method for the synthesis of N‐(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide, a convenient and shelf‐stable reagent for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation, has been developed. N‐(Trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide can be used as an electrophilic source of F₃CS⁺ and reacts readily with boronic acids and alkynes under copper catalysis. The utility of CF₃S‐containing molecules as biologically active agents, the mild reaction conditions employed, and the high tolerance of functional groups demonstrate the potential of this new methodology to be widely applied in organic synthesis as well as industrial pharmaceutical and agrochemical research and development.     

Cu/Pd Synergistic Dual Catalysis: Asymmetric α‐Allylation of an α‐CF3 Amide

Despite the burgeoning demand for fluorine‐containing chemical entities, the construction of CF₃‐containing stereogenic centers has remained elusive. Herein, we report the strategic merger of Cu^I/base‐catalyzed enolization of an α‐CF₃ amide and Pd⁰‐catalyzed allylic alkylation in an enantioselective manner to deliver chiral building blocks bearing a stereogenic carbon center connected to a CF₃, an amide carbonyl, and a manipulable allylic group. The phosphine complexes of Cu^I and Pd⁰ engage in distinct catalytic roles without ligand scrambling to render the dual catalysis operative to achieve asymmetric α‐allylation of the amide. The stereoselective cyclization of the obtained α‐CF₃‐γ,δ‐unsaturated amides to give tetrahydropyran and γ‐lactone‐fused cyclopropane skeletons highlights the synthetic utility of the present catalytic method as a new entry to non‐racemic CF₃‐containing compounds.     

Synthesis of polyarylacetylenes by γ‐ray‐induced polymerization of terminal alkynes. Nanostructures of ortho‐substituted derivatives

Terminal aryl alkynes RC₆H₄C?CH with substituents of different electronic properties and ring position (R = H, 4‐CF₃, 4‐OMe, 2‐CF₃, 2‐OMe, 2‐Me) were exposed to γ‐radiation (50–400 kGy) in organic solvents (hexane, 1,4‐dioxane, ethylacetate, methanol, tetrahydrofuran), at room temperature. The effects arising from substituent, solvent, dilution, and radiation dose allowed to define the conditions suitable for polymerization, which was favored in methanol at increasing dilution of the alkyne. Ortho‐substitution represented the key structural element in the substrate, and the derived polyarylacetylenes were characterized in detail, including gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis, infrared, NMR, UV–vis, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscope spectroscopy. The results are consistent with the formation of irregular polymers mainly composed of trans‐transoid chains. Controlled aggregation of the polymers by means of an osmosis‐based procedure in solvent/non‐solvent mixtures allowed the formation of nanostructured materials, in particular of hollow nanospheres from THF/water. The methodology sets the basis for the development of γ‐rays‐induced polymerization of alkynes, in a transition metal catalyst‐free environment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition for Pyrrole Synthesis under Metal‐Free Conditions

A photocatalytic formal [3+2] cycloaddition of 2H‐azirines with alkynes has been achieved under irradiation by visible light in the presence of organic dye photocatalysts. This transformation provides efficient access to highly functionalized pyrroles in good yields and has been applied to the synthesis of drug analogues. A primary trial of photocascade catalysis merging energy transfer and redox neutral reactions was shown to be successful.     

Iron‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Addition of Perfluoroalkyl Iodides to Alkynes and Alkenes

Iron catalysis has been developed for the intermolecular 1,2‐addition of perfluoroalkyl iodides to alkynes and alkenes. The catalysis has a wide substrate scope and high functional‐group tolerance. A variety of perfluoroalkyl iodides including CF₃I can be employed. The resulting perfluoroalkylated alkyl and alkenyl iodides can be further functionalized by cross‐coupling reactions. This methodology provides a straightforward and streamlined access to perfluoroalkylated organic molecules.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Cleavage of 2H‐Azirines: A Formal [3+2+2] Cycloaddition to Fused Azepine Skeletons

2H‐azirines can serve as three‐atom synthons by C?C bond cleavage, however, it involves a high energy barrier under thermal conditions (>50.0 kcal mol^?1). Reported is a ruthenium‐catalyzed [3+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2H‐azirines with diynes, thus leading to the formation of fused azepine skeletons. This approach features an unprecedented metal‐catalyzed C?C bond cleavage of 2H‐azirines at room temperature, and the challenging construction of aza‐seven‐membered rings from diynes. The results of this study provide a new reaction pattern for constructing nitrogen‐containing seven‐membered rings and may find applications in the synthesis of other complex heterocycles.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Trifluoromethylazidation of Alkenes: Convenient Access to CF3‐Containing Alkyl Azides

A novel copper‐catalyzed intermolecular trifluoromethylazidation of alkenes has been developed under mild reaction conditions. A variety of CF₃‐containing organoazides were directly synthesized from a wide range of olefins, including activated and unactivated alkenes, and the resulting products can be easily transformed into the corresponding CF₃‐containing amine derivatives.     

A Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective γ‐Boryl Substitution of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Alkenes: Synthesis of Enantioenriched γ,γ‐gem‐Difluoroallylboronates

The first catalytic enantioselective γ‐boryl substitution of CF₃‐substituted alkenes is reported. A series of CF₃‐substituted alkenes was treated with a diboron reagent in the presence of a copper(I)/Josiphos catalyst to afford the corresponding optically active γ,γ‐gem‐difluoroallylboronates in high enantioselectivity. The thus obtained products could be readily converted into the corresponding difluoromethylene‐containing homoallylic alcohols using highly stereospecific allylation reactions.     

Photoredox‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Conversion of Alkynes into Tetrasubstituted Trifluoromethylated Alkenes

A regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated alkenes bearing four different substituents has been developed. Stereocontrolled sulfonyloxytrifluoromethylation of unsymmetric internal alkynes with an electrophilic CF₃ reagent, namely the triflate salt of the Yagupol’skii–Umemoto reagent, in the presence of an Ir photoredox catalyst under visible‐light irradiation afforded trifluoromethylalkenyl triflates with well‐predictable stereochemistry resulting from anti addition of the trifluoromethyl and triflate groups. Subsequent palladium‐catalyzed cross‐couplings led to tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes in a highly stereoselective manner. The present method is the first example of a facile one‐pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes from simple alkynes.     

5‐(1,2,3‐Triazol‐1‐yl)tetrazole Derivatives of an Azidotetrazole via Click Chemistry

N? C bonded (non‐bridged) 5‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)tetrazoles were synthesized by the Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar azide–alkyne cycloaddition click reaction using 5‐azido‐N‐(propan‐2‐ylidene)‐1H‐tetrazole ( 1 ). For example, the click reaction of 1 in the presence of CuSO₄?5 H₂O and Na ascorbate at 65–70 °C for 48 h in CH₃CN/H₂O co‐solvent was found to be limited to only terminal alkynes that have electron‐withdrawing groups, CF₃C?CH ( 2 a ) and SF₅C?CH ( 2 b ), giving rise to isopropylidene‐[5‐(4‐trifluoromethyl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐yl]amine ( 3 a ) and isopropylidene‐[5‐(4‐pentafluorosulfanyl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐yl]amine ( 3 b ) in 47 % and 66 % yields, respectively. When carried out under conditions using CuI and 2,6‐lutidine as catalysts at 0 °C for 13 h in CHCl₃, the click reaction was versatile toward alkynes even those having electron‐donating groups. Properties of new products were determined and compared with those of 1 . Heats of formation, detonation pressures, detonation velocities and impact sensitivities are reported for these new 5‐(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)tetrazoles.     

Synthesis and Properties of CF3(OCF3)CH‐Substituted Arenes and Alkenes†

A silver‐mediated oxidative trifluoromethylation of easily accessible α‐trifluoromethyl alcohols with TMSCF₃ was developed to access novel CF₃(OCF₃)CH‐containing compounds. Deprotonation of CF₃(OCF₃)CH‐substituted arenes afforded synthetically useful CF₃O‐substituted gem‐difluoroalkenes. Furthermore, evaluation of the lipophilicities (log P) indicated that CH(OCF₃)CF₃ is more lipophilic than the common fluorinated motifs such as CF₃, OCF₃, and SCF₃, thus rendering the CH(OCF₃)CF₃ motif appealing in drug discovery.     

Azidoperfluoroalkanes: Synthesis and Application in Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition

We report an efficient and scalable synthesis of azidotrifluoromethane (CF₃N₃) and longer perfluorocarbon‐chain analogues (R_FN₃; R_F=C₂F₅, ⁿ C₃F₇, ⁿ C₈F₁₇), which enables the direct insertion of CF₃ and perfluoroalkyl groups into triazole ring systems. The azidoperfluoroalkanes show good reactivity with terminal alkynes in copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), giving access to rare and stable N ‐perfluoroalkyl triazoles. Azidoperfluoroalkanes are thermally stable and the efficiency of their preparation should be attractive for discovery programs.     

Regioselective Synthesis of 6‐[Chloro(difluoro)methyl]salicylates by [3+3] Cyclocondensations of 1,3‐Bis(trimethylsilyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with 1‐Chloro‐1,1‐difluoro‐4‐(trimethylsilyloxy)pent‐3‐en‐2‐one

The TiCl₄‐mediated [3+3] cyclocondensation of various 1,3‐bis(trimethylsilyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with 1‐chloro‐1,1‐difluoro‐4‐(trimethylsilyloxy)pent‐3‐en‐2‐one provides a regioselective access to novel 6‐(chlorodifluoromethyl)salicylates (=6‐(chlorodifluoromethyl)‐2‐hydroxybenzoates) with very good regioselectivity. For selected products, it was demonstrated that the CF₂Cl group can be transformed to CF₂H and CF₂(Allyl) by free‐radical reactions.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the thermal gas‐phase oxidation of perfluorobutene‐2 in presence of trifluoromethyl hypofluorite

The oxidation of perfluorobutene‐2 (C₄F₈) initiated by trifluoromethyl hypofluorite (CF₃OF) in presence of O₂ has been studied at 323.1, 332.6, 342.5, and 352.0 K, using a conventional static system. The initial pressure of CF₃OF was varied between 4.8 and 23.6 Torr, that of C₄F₈ between 48.7 and 302.4 Torr, and that of O₂ between 51.5 and 270.4 Torr. Several runs were made in presence of 325.5–451.2 Torr of N₂. The main products were COF₂, CF₃C(O)F, and CF₃OC(O)F. Small amounts of compound containing ? CF(CF₃)? O? C(O)CF₃ group were also formed, as detected by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The oxidation is a homogeneous short‐chain reaction, attaining, at the pressure of O₂ used, the pseudo‐zero‐order condition with respect to O₂ as reactant. The reaction is independent of the total pressure. Its basic steps are as follows: the thermal generation of CF₃O^? radicals by the abstraction of fluorine atom of CF₃OF by C₄F₈, the addition of CF₃O^? to the alkene, the formation of perfluoroalkoxy radicals RO^? in presence of O₂, and the decomposition of these radicals via the C? C bond scission, giving products containing ? C(O)F end group and reforming RO^? and CF₃O^? radicals. The mechanism consistent with experimental results is postulated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 532–541, 2003     

A Copper Catalyst with a Cinchona‐Alkaloid‐Based Sulfonamide Ligand for Asymmetric Radical Oxytrifluoromethylation of Alkenyl Oximes

A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical oxytrifluoromethylation of alkenyl oxime and Togni's reagent has been successfully developed, thereby providing straightforward access to CF₃‐containing isoxazolines bearing α‐tertiary stereocenters with excellent yield and enantioselectivity. The key to success is the rational design of cinchona‐alkaloid‐based sulfonamides as neutral/anionic hybrid ligands to effectively control the stereochemistry in copper‐catalyzed reactions involving free alkyl radical species. The utility of this method is illustrated by efficient transformation of the products into useful chiral CF₃‐containing 1,3‐aminoalcohols.